Major FestivalVrat · Fasting
In 2 days on Friday - September 4, 2026
Krishna Janmashtami
Birth of Lord Krishna · Midnight Celebration
Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Rohini Nakshatra)
Deity
Lord Krishna (Bal Krishna)
Observance
Vrat · Full-day fast
Duration
1 day
Observed
All India
Pooja Muhurat in New Delhi
11:58 PM – 12:42 AM (Next Day)
Nishita Kaal · around solar midnight
Best choghadiya within this window
Shubh 12:20 AM – 12:42 AM (Next Day)
Showing timings for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location for timings that match your own sunrise.
Vrat Parana · breaking the fast
06:01 AM (Next Day)
At sunrise the following morning
After the midnight puja, or the next morning depending on family tradition
Calculated for New Delhi (IST), the default city — checking your location.
About This Day
Birth of Lord Krishna at midnight; fasting, bhajans, and Dahi Handi
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, at midnight in Mathura. Krishna is the divine teacher of the Bhagavad Gita, a mischievous child (Bal Krishna), a romantic hero (with Radha), and a great statesman. Devotees fast all day and celebrate with devotional singing (bhajan-kirtan), Dahi Handi (human pyramid to break a pot of curd), enactments of Krishna's life, and a midnight celebration called Nishita Puja when Krishna was born.
GokulashtamiKrishnashtamiDahi Handi
Regional Names
Gujarat
Janmashtami
Maharashtra
Dahi Handi
South India
Gokulashtami
Mathura/Vrindavan
Janmashtami
Vrat Rules
Strict fast observed all day. Fast is broken at midnight after the birth puja, not the next morning.
Allowed
·fruits
·milk
·makhan
·panchamrit
·sabudana
·singhara
·makhana
Avoided
·grains
·table salt
·non-veg
Pooja Vidhi , Step by Step
1
Fast all day
Observe a full fast (nirjala or fruit-only) from sunrise
2
Decorate the cradle
Set up a small cradle (jhula) for Bal Krishna. Decorate with flowers and fresh clothes
3
Midnight Nishita Puja
At midnight (the birth time of Krishna), perform the main puja. Bathe the idol, dress it, place in the cradle, and swing the cradle while singing bhajans
4
Dahi Handi
Young men form human pyramids to break the pot of curd hung at height — re-enacting Krishna's childhood pranks
5
Break fast at midnight
After Nishita Puja, break the fast with panchamrit, fruits, and then proceed to a meal after midnight
Step-by-step pooja guidance with mantras.
Mantras
Krishna Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya · 108 chants
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna)
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे।।
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare · 108 chants
The great mantra calling upon Krishna and Rama — chanting it is said to be the yuga dharma for Kali Yuga
Pooja Essentials
Pooja Items
Krishna idol (Bal Gopal)Cradle (jhula)Tulsi garlandYellow/blue clothPanchamrit ingredientsIncenseCamphorConchDahi Handi (earthen pot)
Flowers
Tulsi (most important)MarigoldJasmineYellow flowers
Prasad
PanchamritMakhan (butter)MishriPanjiriMakhanaFruitsDahi (curd)
Do
·Fast throughout the day
·Celebrate with bhajan-kirtan
·Perform midnight Nishita Puja
·Participate in Dahi Handi
·Offer tulsi and makhan to Krishna
·Break fast at midnight
Avoid
·Do not perform the main puja before midnight
·Avoid grains and non-veg during fast
·Do not sleep before midnight puja
·Avoid anger and harsh words
Remedies
·Chant Hare Krishna maha mantra
·Offer butter and mishri to Krishna
·Read Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4
·Donate to orphans and children
Daan (Donations)
Yellow clothMakhan (butter)Clothes for childrenDonations to orphanages
Krishna Janmashtami
Birth of Lord Krishna · Midnight Celebration
#Janmashtami#KrishnaJanmashtami#JaiShriKrishna#DahiHandi#HareKrishna#DailyPanchang
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